Why dont most gun site people shoot more?
- Thread starter Timanator
- Start date
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AirForceShooter
Member
how about some of us just like to shoot alone.
I run about 400 rounds a week through various and sundry weapons.
I don't know anybody at my range. I don't talk to anybody.
I just want to spend some time in my own little world.
No offense to anybody.
AFS
I run about 400 rounds a week through various and sundry weapons.
I don't know anybody at my range. I don't talk to anybody.
I just want to spend some time in my own little world.
No offense to anybody.
AFS
A lot of AR-15 owners are toy buyers, not shooters. Tactical tommies, video gamers, etc. A lot of tactical gun buyers can't hit the broad side of a barn, in my experience. Three-gun guys, of course, are a major exception, though I can't get into shooting stationary plates with a shotgun, myself.
If you go to rimfire central, or a CAS or shotgun sports forum, you'll probably find 99% frequent shooters there.
If you go to rimfire central, or a CAS or shotgun sports forum, you'll probably find 99% frequent shooters there.
CajunBass
Member
I don't like too shoot in groups so I wouldn't show up, period. Of course I wouldn't tell you I was going to either.
I shoot when I want to, where I want to, as much as I want to, and leave when I want to.
I shoot when I want to, where I want to, as much as I want to, and leave when I want to.
Beetle Bailey
Member
I have a thread in "Rally Point" for a monthly THR shoot and have a bit to say on this subject. 
You are asking for ideas for getting a better turn out for your "group shoots?" Well, you say you have several people who post saying they are interested, but then never show up. Either life got in the way, or they are wishy-washy about meeting up with you for whatever reason. Next time you have a group shoot, make sure someone has a digital camera and take a lot of pictures. You want to make it look like this was the coolest place to be. If you have access to cool or unusual firearms, bring them.
Now, there will always be people who will say "Bhahh! He's only bringing out an M-16 and a Galil. . . if it ain't belt-fed, it's not worth my time." But you'd be surprised at how may shooters have never fired an M-1 Garand or your grandfather's old 1903 Springfield.
Next, have something fun and unique to shoot at. Steel gongs are popular, as are watermelons, pumpkins, or whatever is in season and available at the local market. Or how about bowling pins painted up to look like your favorite third world dictator/leader of international terrorist ring?
Lots of people go to shoot at paper on their own, and others rarely make it out to the range. Give 'em a little extra incentive to crawl out of bed/pass up on that new movie/etc. Make them feel like they missed out if they didn't show up. Oh yeah, and post the pictures on your forum.
This may sound like a lot of work, and it is in the beginning. Once you get the ball rolling, however, it gets easier and easier. I was getting good turnout on mine with little work until bad weather got in the way recently.
Note to the guys who prefer to shoot alone:
Actually, I'm with you on that. I go to the range to shoot, not to talk (except, of course, when I am doing my own "group shoot"). On a normal day, I only talk to a few people at the range, and then, only during cease-fire. I like it when it's just me, my gun(s), my ammo, and my target. I crawl out of my comfort zone only once a month for my group shoots as a way of "sharing my sport."
You are asking for ideas for getting a better turn out for your "group shoots?" Well, you say you have several people who post saying they are interested, but then never show up. Either life got in the way, or they are wishy-washy about meeting up with you for whatever reason. Next time you have a group shoot, make sure someone has a digital camera and take a lot of pictures. You want to make it look like this was the coolest place to be. If you have access to cool or unusual firearms, bring them.
Now, there will always be people who will say "Bhahh! He's only bringing out an M-16 and a Galil. . . if it ain't belt-fed, it's not worth my time." But you'd be surprised at how may shooters have never fired an M-1 Garand or your grandfather's old 1903 Springfield.
Next, have something fun and unique to shoot at. Steel gongs are popular, as are watermelons, pumpkins, or whatever is in season and available at the local market. Or how about bowling pins painted up to look like your favorite third world dictator/leader of international terrorist ring?
Lots of people go to shoot at paper on their own, and others rarely make it out to the range. Give 'em a little extra incentive to crawl out of bed/pass up on that new movie/etc. Make them feel like they missed out if they didn't show up. Oh yeah, and post the pictures on your forum.
This may sound like a lot of work, and it is in the beginning. Once you get the ball rolling, however, it gets easier and easier. I was getting good turnout on mine with little work until bad weather got in the way recently.
Note to the guys who prefer to shoot alone:
Actually, I'm with you on that. I go to the range to shoot, not to talk (except, of course, when I am doing my own "group shoot"). On a normal day, I only talk to a few people at the range, and then, only during cease-fire. I like it when it's just me, my gun(s), my ammo, and my target. I crawl out of my comfort zone only once a month for my group shoots as a way of "sharing my sport."
There seems to be folks that shoot alone here. I too shoot alone but perfer to shoot with friends.
Personally I have no problem with my shooting ability as maybe I don't consider myself a sure shot. Always I introduce myself to those that are around me. Perhaps I am forutnate to have had only a couple to the left and maybe one to my right and to I don't feel overwhelmed by a low enough number, but I like to say "hi" to those that are around me.
Due to these few encounters I have met some nice people and have started to make aquaintances and have had the opportunity to see and handle pistols and rifles that I otherwise would not have been able to have if I had not made the introductions.
Granted it is I who usually initiates salutations, but I have always benefited from it.
Perhaps it is merely a "newbie" but that is where I am and so be it.
I shoot what I shoot and where the bullets fly that is where it is.
I have met all sorts but everyone has a story to tell and I will always gain in some respect from all that I meet.
and most importantly although I think that I have gained more than I have given I feel that every time one gives a lesson they have themselves gained the experience of teaching.
thanks to all that have given me advice,
have a great day
cavman
Personally I have no problem with my shooting ability as maybe I don't consider myself a sure shot. Always I introduce myself to those that are around me. Perhaps I am forutnate to have had only a couple to the left and maybe one to my right and to I don't feel overwhelmed by a low enough number, but I like to say "hi" to those that are around me.
Due to these few encounters I have met some nice people and have started to make aquaintances and have had the opportunity to see and handle pistols and rifles that I otherwise would not have been able to have if I had not made the introductions.
Granted it is I who usually initiates salutations, but I have always benefited from it.
Perhaps it is merely a "newbie" but that is where I am and so be it.
I shoot what I shoot and where the bullets fly that is where it is.
I have met all sorts but everyone has a story to tell and I will always gain in some respect from all that I meet.
and most importantly although I think that I have gained more than I have given I feel that every time one gives a lesson they have themselves gained the experience of teaching.
thanks to all that have given me advice,
have a great day
cavman
crashm1
Member
I'd come out to play but it's a really long drive
I've only recently gotten back into shooting after a 8 or 12 year hiatus. Now that it is warming up here in the frozen north I'm driving to the range every weekend and working on retuning the muscle memory with the 1911's I own and a couple long guns. I've gone through about 400 rounds of .45 ammo in the last 2 weeks and 150 rounds of .223 have run through my most recent aquisition of a mini-14. I've also run about 30 or so rounds through a Remington 742 trying to get it zeroed at a 100 yards and decided the scope is broke. I can't hit the broadside of a barn from the inside with it. I'm considering getting a DPMS DCM or M1A to try some actual competition shooting in High power matches. I'm also trying to figure out the nearest place to check out an IDPA match 'cause that looks like a lot of fun. Oh man, I'm gonna need way more ammo.
I've only recently gotten back into shooting after a 8 or 12 year hiatus. Now that it is warming up here in the frozen north I'm driving to the range every weekend and working on retuning the muscle memory with the 1911's I own and a couple long guns. I've gone through about 400 rounds of .45 ammo in the last 2 weeks and 150 rounds of .223 have run through my most recent aquisition of a mini-14. I've also run about 30 or so rounds through a Remington 742 trying to get it zeroed at a 100 yards and decided the scope is broke. I can't hit the broadside of a barn from the inside with it. I'm considering getting a DPMS DCM or M1A to try some actual competition shooting in High power matches. I'm also trying to figure out the nearest place to check out an IDPA match 'cause that looks like a lot of fun. Oh man, I'm gonna need way more ammo.
gunsmith
member
1st of all, welcome to thr
2nd, I've tried getting people up here to get together for a shoot
and it's still to cold.
back in SF with a great indoor range I went shooting far more often.
2nd, I've tried getting people up here to get together for a shoot
and it's still to cold.
back in SF with a great indoor range I went shooting far more often.
MadMercS55
Member
I normally go through about 1500rnds a month. Sometimes 2500\month in the summer time. This mixed between 9/45/38/357, etc. I am a very good shot and while most range sessions are for practice/tactics, etc, I still enjoy busting out a good 22 and running through 1000rnds on a Sunday morning in nice weather. Most people I know do not shoot anywhere near as much as I do, and I normally wind up going alone or with my wife if she isn't working. The range I belong to has events weekly in the summer, and even attendance there has dropped off alot in the last few years.
CajunBass
Member
Beetle, you've got some really good ideas there, especially with the reactive targets. I used to shoot with a local IPSC club when I was younger, and I loved to shoot steel plates, and "Pepper Poppers." So did other people. Even people who weren't going to shoot, would come out to the range when we were shooting them, because they could see and hear the hits.
"BANG"......"Blink"......"flop" That was cool.
If I knew there were going to be that kind of targets, I might be more inclined to show up for a shoot. I can punch holes in paper all day long on my own. I don't worry about people seeing that I can't shoot. I'm quite proud of my ability to lay down "supressing fire."
"BANG"......"Blink"......"flop" That was cool.
If I knew there were going to be that kind of targets, I might be more inclined to show up for a shoot. I can punch holes in paper all day long on my own. I don't worry about people seeing that I can't shoot. I'm quite proud of my ability to lay down "supressing fire."
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One word: Strippers
Seriously? Matches are hard to get onliners to come to, I've been there and done that and it's not just ARFcom that's a problem. Try it here, and see what you get. Same result.
Try instead organizing a fun shoot, or getting your local Class III guys to come out. The Ohio hometown boards has a shoot each month or so, and typically we get 40-50 ARFcommers out, and it grows every time. Our secret? Just a big, open, fun shoot. No competition, no rules, just a bunch of us shooting for fun and socializing.
redneck2
Member
Look thru the "used" guns in a store, and you'll see as many that have never been fired as ones that have been used. When I was a kid, guns got used, and used hard. Now they're mostly ornaments
I have an AR, but as with others, I suspect a higher than typical number of the "black rifle" types are the ones that shoot 1/2" groups at 100 yards "all day long"....and that's behind their back using a mirror during a hurricane at night. When you actually put rounds down range, the flag drops and the BS stops. I've seen guys at the range that just can't handle it. I worked at a shop that had an indoor range. The number of people that can't cut paper at 7 yards is amazing. Sad thing is, they'll get discourged and leave after the first box of ammo. Kinda like me and golf...I don't want to do it unless I'm good, and I won't get good until I do it.
I'd agree that it's a lot easier to talk about shooting from a keyboard that it is to actually do it. It's kinda like the fat slob sitting in a sports bar watching a football game "I coulda caught that pass"...
yeah...then why aren't you making 8 million a year instead of stocking shelves at Wal-mart?
When you can shoot sitting in a Lazy-Boy using a remote, then it will become popular. Actually, I guess you can with an X-Box. Maybe that's why video games are so popular. It actually takes effort to get off your tail and get everything together to go shoot, and we're losing that energy as a society.
This does bring up a good point. I wonder how many people that come here haven't shot in the last month, or even 6 months??
I have an AR, but as with others, I suspect a higher than typical number of the "black rifle" types are the ones that shoot 1/2" groups at 100 yards "all day long"....and that's behind their back using a mirror during a hurricane at night. When you actually put rounds down range, the flag drops and the BS stops. I've seen guys at the range that just can't handle it. I worked at a shop that had an indoor range. The number of people that can't cut paper at 7 yards is amazing. Sad thing is, they'll get discourged and leave after the first box of ammo. Kinda like me and golf...I don't want to do it unless I'm good, and I won't get good until I do it.
I'd agree that it's a lot easier to talk about shooting from a keyboard that it is to actually do it. It's kinda like the fat slob sitting in a sports bar watching a football game "I coulda caught that pass"...
yeah...then why aren't you making 8 million a year instead of stocking shelves at Wal-mart?
When you can shoot sitting in a Lazy-Boy using a remote, then it will become popular. Actually, I guess you can with an X-Box. Maybe that's why video games are so popular. It actually takes effort to get off your tail and get everything together to go shoot, and we're losing that energy as a society.
This does bring up a good point. I wonder how many people that come here haven't shot in the last month, or even 6 months??
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MI_Packer
Member
Make them interesting
One guy mentioned pepper poppers, another reactive targets.
I used to belong to a club and they never really have the turnout they want. I volunteered to run a couple programs, even wrote a letter to the club president - no response. The club house was dirty and most things were half complete projects. Several times I drove the 35 miles to get there to find no one at all at the event. The newsletter would state that the event was cancelled due to heat, bugs, water, low particpation or some other excuse. The newsletter usually has an article about how some yahoo was speed shooting and just wasting ammo.
I switched clubs - this one sponors a sniper in the sandbox. They have equipment (IPSC, IDPA, Steels) and 6 handgun bays, two rifle, several shotgun, a nice clubhouse, raffles, door prizes at every meeting, CHL and hunter safety courses . Heck, we had 195 people show up to the February meeting. They even have 10's of thousands in the bank as cash on hand.
'Build it and they will come' - doesn't work for a range.
One guy mentioned pepper poppers, another reactive targets.
I used to belong to a club and they never really have the turnout they want. I volunteered to run a couple programs, even wrote a letter to the club president - no response. The club house was dirty and most things were half complete projects. Several times I drove the 35 miles to get there to find no one at all at the event. The newsletter would state that the event was cancelled due to heat, bugs, water, low particpation or some other excuse. The newsletter usually has an article about how some yahoo was speed shooting and just wasting ammo.
I switched clubs - this one sponors a sniper in the sandbox. They have equipment (IPSC, IDPA, Steels) and 6 handgun bays, two rifle, several shotgun, a nice clubhouse, raffles, door prizes at every meeting, CHL and hunter safety courses . Heck, we had 195 people show up to the February meeting. They even have 10's of thousands in the bank as cash on hand.
'Build it and they will come' - doesn't work for a range.
Monkeyleg
Member.
Count me as another one who likes to shoot alone. I can concentrate more and, frankly, I get intimidated by better shooters.
Still, up until a couple of years ago I went shooting two to five times a week.
Now I'm juggling three different jobs, plus trying to run a pro-CCW group in WI. I don't have much time. When we pass our bill next year, I'll have more time.
Adding to the problem is that my club's range now requires that there be two people present (one to shoot, one to be RO) at all times in order for either one to shoot. Since there aren't any assigned RO's, I find myself driving half an hour only to find nobody there to switch off RO duty with. No RO, no shoot.
Still, up until a couple of years ago I went shooting two to five times a week.
Now I'm juggling three different jobs, plus trying to run a pro-CCW group in WI. I don't have much time. When we pass our bill next year, I'll have more time.
Adding to the problem is that my club's range now requires that there be two people present (one to shoot, one to be RO) at all times in order for either one to shoot. Since there aren't any assigned RO's, I find myself driving half an hour only to find nobody there to switch off RO duty with. No RO, no shoot.
trickyasafox
Member
i havent shot in 3 weeks, and often go longer. i can only shoot when im on vacation from college, i dont pretend to be a phenominal shooter though, im average to slightly above average with a rifle, and not embarrassing with a pistol, but i still like going out there and doing it.
during the summer i try to go at least 1x a week, 2 if im lucky and have hit 3 on a rare few occasions. reloading has really allowed me to hit the range more, and im thankful to the high road for that
i definatly agree some people just dont want to risk being made to look the fool, but even if your the worst shooter somewhere, its still better than just talkin about it in my book
during the summer i try to go at least 1x a week, 2 if im lucky and have hit 3 on a rare few occasions. reloading has really allowed me to hit the range more, and im thankful to the high road for that
i definatly agree some people just dont want to risk being made to look the fool, but even if your the worst shooter somewhere, its still better than just talkin about it in my book
AaronE
Member
TIME is a problem...
at least for me. my schedule stinks, is highly variable and generally is set in not-very-firm MUD at best. Nature of my job, but it makes it hard to have a social life, many friends or to go do things except on the spur of the moment.
I will drop things and go shoot 4-5x a month...on about 5 minutes notice when things suddenly free up. good pit is 7 minutes away...10 if the gate is closed and I have to walk in. THat just limits how much hardware and ammo I drag in.
Aaron
at least for me. my schedule stinks, is highly variable and generally is set in not-very-firm MUD at best. Nature of my job, but it makes it hard to have a social life, many friends or to go do things except on the spur of the moment.
I will drop things and go shoot 4-5x a month...on about 5 minutes notice when things suddenly free up. good pit is 7 minutes away...10 if the gate is closed and I have to walk in. THat just limits how much hardware and ammo I drag in.
Aaron
ARperson
Member
ARperson hubbie speaking here,
For me, and a lot of my hobby mates, it is simply time. Our job requires us to work more than full time, plus family constraints means we have to fit in our favorite subject when we can.
It is easy to post on an internet board while stuffing food down my face at lunch time where I can still answer questions as they come up etc...
For me, and a lot of my hobby mates, it is simply time. Our job requires us to work more than full time, plus family constraints means we have to fit in our favorite subject when we can.
It is easy to post on an internet board while stuffing food down my face at lunch time where I can still answer questions as they come up etc...
sargenv
Member
I guess I count myself as one who would be at a get together in my area if I had the time on weekends. As it is, I shoot 3 out of 4 sundays at IPSC, ICORE, or 2-gun/3-gun matches in my area (much to my wife's chagrin). In addition to the matches, now that the weather is getting better and the days longer, I try to make it to the range for some "by myself time" either on the plate rack, drawing, longer range practice, etc. I'm one of the lucky people that belongs to a club that allows RO's to open the range and shoot by themselves. I usually go after hours when I'm guaranteed alone time.
Since I'm new to this forum, I don't know if there has ever been a get together planned in my area. With being the website maintainance guy and a scorekeeper for the ipsc matches at my club, that keeps me busy after the matches, but only for a few hours a month. I think that most people online are here to burn time while bored and don't want to actually do anything to actually get out and shoot. Like a few people have stated, they get discouraged after seeing so many better shooters and then they have to "live up" to the fact that they self promoted themselves. Personally I tend to let my shooting do the talking for me. Just because I have loaded X number of rounds over the years doesn't mean I can hit all X rings and/or put all my shots in the A zone. I do the best that I can, as fast as I can depending on discipline and try not to take myself too seriously. If you look at my USPSA classifications, they aren't all that stellar, but people who know me know my strengths and know what I can do. I tend to laugh at myself before they do.
Vince
Since I'm new to this forum, I don't know if there has ever been a get together planned in my area. With being the website maintainance guy and a scorekeeper for the ipsc matches at my club, that keeps me busy after the matches, but only for a few hours a month. I think that most people online are here to burn time while bored and don't want to actually do anything to actually get out and shoot. Like a few people have stated, they get discouraged after seeing so many better shooters and then they have to "live up" to the fact that they self promoted themselves. Personally I tend to let my shooting do the talking for me. Just because I have loaded X number of rounds over the years doesn't mean I can hit all X rings and/or put all my shots in the A zone. I do the best that I can, as fast as I can depending on discipline and try not to take myself too seriously.
If you look at my USPSA classifications, they aren't all that stellar, but people who know me know my strengths and know what I can do. I tend to laugh at myself before they do. Vince
I'll be the first to admit that I don't goto the range as often as I should. I like to go with other people, mainly because I can't shut up and without people around I tend to get a little weird. Once my buddy gets back from Qatar though, we will probably start going once a month at least. And on the subject of our internet marksmen... Yeah some people need to realize that HALO does not help you be a better shot
Timanator said:
Timanator, the answer is that you must find and invite like-minded individuals who not only love firearms and enjoy shooting, but also possess the ambition to do what they enjoy.
Don't mistake the love of firearms in a person or persons that you see on the various forums, as being equal to your ambition to get out and actually shoot. A good number of people on the internet probably don’t have enough time or money to shoot as much as they’d like, therefore they satisfy their “urge” or craving by reading/talking firearms on the internet. This is more easily done between dinner, kids in the tub, and mowing the lawn.
I run/organize a sanctioned dart league, and along with this I run and organize various tournaments. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a hundred people tell me they would “be there,” only to have a less than stellar turnout for a tournament.
Reason? Beats me. It’s not the lack of money to be won. It’s not the lack of food and beer specials I negotiate. I think it’s the lack of ambition on about 85-90% of the “darting crowd” that’s to blame.
In contrast, I have a good small core group of die-hards who always show up no matter what. Once I had a guy show up at a tournament after a funeral – he called and had us hold off our start time an extra half-hour. Go figure.
I feel your angst. Good luck.
PS -- I notice when I have better door prizes... I have a bigger turnout. Greedy
! danurve
Member
I think, it has something to do with working my over-taxed butt off, watching more of such taxes feed the troll welfare maggots and illegals. And the rest going into the fuel tank these days.
JoseM
Member
Here's a guess, not sure if it would work... but I have two reasons I don't shoot as often as I like,
1) I'm the only supporter of a 4 person family (stay at home wife and two sons)...so money is tight.
2) My spare time is more for my family (work full-time and am working on my masters degree in engineering part-time....spare time is at a premium).
The only suggestion I could make that would take care of those two items would be to try and organize a family function. For instance, there's a local private gun club here that's on a lake. Have a picnic for the family with the shooting being the focal point, but something the kids/wife can go to and enjoy herself. The money for shooting would be more justified because it's more like a date (even though not the wife's first choice of a date, but more like a picnic) and the time spent at the range is still family time.
That's just my suggestion, others may not like it but I can say that it would definately get me out to the range more!
1) I'm the only supporter of a 4 person family (stay at home wife and two sons)...so money is tight.
2) My spare time is more for my family (work full-time and am working on my masters degree in engineering part-time....spare time is at a premium).
The only suggestion I could make that would take care of those two items would be to try and organize a family function. For instance, there's a local private gun club here that's on a lake. Have a picnic for the family with the shooting being the focal point, but something the kids/wife can go to and enjoy herself. The money for shooting would be more justified because it's more like a date (even though not the wife's first choice of a date, but more like a picnic) and the time spent at the range is still family time.
That's just my suggestion, others may not like it but I can say that it would definately get me out to the range more!
JoseM
Member
redneck2 said:
Redneck, you're looking at it the wrong way....just take the approach I do...I'm a TERRIBLE golfer, I shoot about a 140 (i.e. about a 70 handicap)....my analogy is this.....I get twice the golf for the same amount of money as these "good" golfers get. So we both pay $20 for a round of golf but I get to hit my ball twice as much
Langenator
Member
I used to go shooting a lot more when I was single...every Thursday afternoon to the pistol range.
Now, I'm married, got a house, mortgage, kids...you get the picture.
Oh, and my wife likes to shoot, too. The good side/bad side to that is, while I don't get nagged for going shooting, I get nagged for not taking her along. But taking her along requires getting a sitter for the boys (ages 2 years and 3 mos-not big enough to come along yet). And sitters are tough to find on weekends.
That being said, I managed to go to a couple of THR groupshoots when I was in SC. They were never big-I think 4 of us was the most we got-but still fun. I think the show and tell aspect-getting to play with other guys' toys-was one of the best parts. No competition, just having fun.
Now, I'm married, got a house, mortgage, kids...you get the picture.
Oh, and my wife likes to shoot, too. The good side/bad side to that is, while I don't get nagged for going shooting, I get nagged for not taking her along. But taking her along requires getting a sitter for the boys (ages 2 years and 3 mos-not big enough to come along yet). And sitters are tough to find on weekends.
That being said, I managed to go to a couple of THR groupshoots when I was in SC. They were never big-I think 4 of us was the most we got-but still fun. I think the show and tell aspect-getting to play with other guys' toys-was one of the best parts. No competition, just having fun.
Lambo
Member
I'm in the Ammo Business working Tables at the Gun Shows, Clubs, etc.. People aren't buying. There's a price factor playing a part here. Ammo Prices have increased 10% this year and with the price of gas most are not driving anywhere but to work! Not to many folk have that extra $$$$$ to throw around. It's only gone to get worse!
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